Cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system including a pressure responsive seal

ABSTRACT

A gas powered weapon system comprised of a cartridge assembly which includes a deformable projectile and a gas pressurized container located in opposite ends of a cartridge case, with the case supporting a sharp edged piercing element located proximate to an outer surface of the container and adapted to puncture the container in response to the release of a spring biased piston located in a projectile launcher. A pressure responsive seal is located between the inner wall of the cartridge case and the outer wall of the gas container to effect more complete sealing therebetween. The projectile launcher includes a handle member which defines an outer housing for the releasable piston, a receiver for slidably inserting the cartridge assembly, and a barrel for directing the projectile in a desired trajectory.

United States Patent 1 Curtis CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS POWEREDWEAPON SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE SEAL [75] Inventor:Herbert E. Curtis, Danville, Calif. [73] Assignee: MB Associates, SanRamon. Calif. [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1973 21 I Appl. No.: 352,944

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 2l7,903, Jan. l4,l972, Pat. No.

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[111 3,889,652 June 17,1975

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT A gaspowered weapon system comprised of a cartridge assembly which includes adeformable projectile and a gas pressurized container located inopposite ends of a cartridge case, with the case supporting a sharpedged piercing element located proximate to an outer surface of thecontainer and adapted to puncture the container in response to therelease of a spring biased piston located in a projectile launcher. Apressure responsive seal is located between the inner wall of thecartridge case and the outer wall of the gas container to effect morecomplete sealing therebetween. The projectile launcher includes a handlemember which defines an outer housing for the releasable piston, areceiver for slidably inserting the cartridge assembly, and a barrel fordirecting the projectile in a desired trajectory.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures J H /4 f I I I I 1 1 I I I,

Junnms 889,652 PATENTEU SHEET 2 1 CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS POWEREDWEAPON SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE SEAL This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 217,903, filed Jan. 14, 1972, now US. Pat. No.3,830,214.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This disclosure pertainsgenerally to weapon systems, and more particularly to a high impact,non-lethal system for use by non-professional gun users, such as homeand business owners, to repel would-be attackers, assailants, andinvaders.

The legal privilege of self-defense is limited generally to the use offorce which reasonably appears necessary for protection against athreatened interference of the person. While in certain instancesreasonable force may include the use of deadly weapons, such asfirearms, generally speaking, such useage is limited to those situationswherein the user has reason to believe that he is in similar seriousmortal danger, and that there is no other safe means of defense. Thus,the employment ofa deadly weapon subjects the user to a substantiallegal risk that the employment of deadly force may subsequently bejudged unreasonable. Moreover, the use and possession of firearms oftenresults in serious or fatal accidents through misuse and mishandlingwhich further subjects the user to additional risks. The subjectinvention pertains to a weapon system for use in self-defensiveencounters which provides an alternative to frightening, dangerous, anddeath dealing firearms,

The subject system in comprised of a projectile launcher and gas poweredcartridge assembly insertable therein. The launcher is comprised ofaselectively relesable spring loaded piston slidably located in a handlemember. The handle member is pivotably connected to one end of a barrelmember, the connecting end portion of the barrel defining a receiverwherein a cartridge assembly may be inserted.

The cartridge assembly is comprised of a cartridge case having adeformable projectile and one or more pressurized gas containersslidably disposed in oppsoite ends thereof. A sharp edged piercingelement is immovably supported within the case eand directed towards anexterior surface of the container. The piercing element is adapted topuncture the case in response to displacement of the container byselective release of the piston, whereby the releasable pressure energyof the gas is utilized as a launching means for the projectile. It istherefore a general object of the subject invention to provide anon-chemical, gunpowderless, weapon system which includes a cartrideassembly insertable in a projectile launcher operable to launch aprojectile by the release of stored gas pressure energy.

Since the application of such a system may vary from target practice tothe actual firing of the projectile in combating the would-be assailant,it would be desirable to selectively control the range, speed, andimpact of the projectile. In the subject invention this is accomplishedby providing a single cartridge case usable with more than one sized gascontainer and also by providing another form of the cartridge casehaving means for receiving more than one gas pressurized container. Itis therefore another object of the subject invention to provide a gaspowered weapon system wherein the range, speed, and impact of theprojectile can be varied by preselecting the cartridge assembly usedwith the launcher.

In another aspect of the invention it will be appreciated that when thepressurized container is punctured thereby releasing the pressuriz gas,a substantial amount of pressurized gas energy release can be lost dueto leakage between the passage supporting the gas container and thecontainer itself. In the subject invention various self-sealing meansare provided to effectively self-seal an end portion of the pressurizedcontainer against the passage of the case by utilizing a seal ing forcegenerated by the pressure of the gas media. It is therefore a furtherobject of the subject invention to provide a self-sealing means for thecontainer so that substantially all of the pressurized gas energyreleased therefrom may be effectively utilized as the propellant for thelaunching of the projectile.

In still another aspect of the invention it is visualized that a fullyloaded projectile launcher may be inadvertently dropped or subjected toother conditions wherein the piston may be slightly displaced againstthe bias of the spring simulating to a slight extent the actual pistonmovement required to puncture the container. To circumvent the danger offiring the projectile under such a circumstance, the force of the springbiasing the piston has been selected to fully puncture the containeronly when released from its fully biased cocked position. Thus, slightwithdrawal and release of the piston member may achieve only slightpenetration of the container. Under this condition a gradual increase inpressure will displace the projectile from the barrel of the launcher atan exceedingly slow rate which provides a general failsafe feature.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apreferred projectile launcher of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same projectile launcher illustratedin FIG. 1, shown in the open position for insertion of an exemplarycartridge assembly,

FIG. 3 is an end view of a first preferred cartridge assembly of thesubject invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional elevation of the cartridge assemblyillustrated in FIG. 3 taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second preferred cartridgeassembly having a volumetrically increased pressurized gas containerrelative to the assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a third preferred cartridgeassembly having two pressurized gas containers;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional elevation of the cartridgeassembly illustrated in FIG. 6, taken along the line 77 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross sectional elevation of the cartridgeassembly illustrated in FIG. 4, taken along the lines 88 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the right end ofthe cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 4, illustrating a first form of asealing member;

FIG. 10 is another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar to FIG. 9,illustrating a second form of the sealing member;

FIG. 11 is another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar to FIG. 7and 8, illustrating a third form of the sealing member; and

FIG. 12 is still another fragmentary sectional elevation, similar toFIG. 7, 8, and 9, illustrating a fourth form of the sealing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now toFIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the gas powered weapon system of thesubject invention is comprised of a projectile launcher, indicatedgenerally at 10, and an exemplary cartridge assembly 12. The cartridgeassembly 12 includes an outer case 14 having an enlarged flange 16located at one end thereof, and a slightly radially enlarged portion 18disposed proximate to the flange 16. The length and diameter of the case14 conforms generally to a standard 40 millimeter cartridge with theflange 16 and enlarged portion 18 being adapted for seating the case 14in the receiver of the launcher 10. Moreover, the case 14 forms an outerhousing for a gas pressurized container and a projectile member, andsupports a sharp edged piercing element for puncturing the pressurizedgas container as shall hereinafter be described in greater detail.

The projectile launcher 10 is preferably fabricated from a suitableplastic material, such as LEXAN, and is formed to resemble a policemansnightstick, having a longitudinal length of approximately l8 inches. Thelauncher I is comprised of a barrel member 20 and a handle assembly 22projecting forwardly and rear wardly from a hinged breech or receiverassembly 24. As used in this description, the terms forwardly andrearwardly" shall respectively have reference to the right and left endsof the projectile launcher as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with theright end of the launcher being directed down range when firing theprojectile. The bore at the rearward end of the barrel is suitablycounterbored to receive the enlarged portion 18 of the case 14 with therearward face thereof being adapted to abut the flange 16 when seatingthe case 12. The bore of the barrel 20 further includes a plurality ofhelically spaced, axially extending rifling grooves 26 which function toimpart a gyrascopic trajectory to the projectile as will hereinafter beexplained in conjunction with the operation of the system.

The barrel member 20 and handle assembly 22 are rotatably connected bymeans of a hinged connecting collar 28, the collar 28 including a firsthalf sectional member 29 connected to the barrel 20, and having aring-shaped portion 30 providing encirclement therearound. A second halfsectional member 32 is connected to the handle assembly 22 and pivotallyconnected adjacent one axially extending edge thereof to the firstsection 29. For selectively rotating the handle assembly 22 relative tothe barrel 20 for insertion of the cartridge assembly 12 and thereafterfor fully locking the collar 28, a locking mechanism is provided at adiametrically opposite axially extending edge and includes a fingeroperable release pin 34. The precise details of the connecting collar28, hinge, and locking mechanism form no part of the subject invention,and may be of the type disclosed in the US. patent application of 4Steven F. Mulich and James H. Sweeney entitled Projectile LauncherBaton," Ser. No. 77,526, filed Oct. 2, 1970, that disclosure beingincorporated herein by reference.

The handle assembly 22 has a radially enlarged breech block 36 locatedat a forward end which is adapted to be connected to the second halfsection 32 by any suitable means such as screws, bolts or the like (notshown). The handle assembly 22 includes an axial passage 38 whichextends rearwardly from the breech block 36 and terminates proximate therearward end of the launcher 10. A piston 40 is slidably located in thepassage 38 and biased toward the forward end thereof by means of a coilspring member 42. An axially ex' tending groove 44 extends radially fromthe passage 38 to the other periphery of the handle 22, and includes acircumferentially extending cocking slot 46 located at the rearward endthereof and a loading slot 47 disposed slightly to the left of theterminal forward end 49. A radially extending operating knob 48 isthreadably connected to the piston 40 and extends through the groove 44to selectively position and locate the piston 40. As best seen in FIG.I, the terminal forward end 49 of the slot 44 is located slightly to theleft of the breech block 36 and functions as a stop to retain the piston40 in the passage 38, and moreover to define a preselected engageabledistance of the forward end of the piston 40 beyond the forward face ofthe breech block 36, with the loading slot 47 being adapted to locatethe piston in a position wherein the forward end is non-extendablethrough the breecch block 36 and disposed slightly to the left of theforward face thereof. An intergral, radially enlarged, circular shapedbutt portion 50 is disposed on the rearward end of the handle assembly22, the portion 50 being adapted to distribute the recoil load of thelauncher 10 during the firing sequence. Additionally, a radiallyenlarged guard-ring 52 is spaced slightly to the left of the loadingslot 47 to define that portion of the handle surface suitable forplacement of the operators thumb or fingers to the left thereof, tonegate the possibility of the thumb and fingers being jammed through therecoil action of the operating knob as shall hereinafter be described inthe operation of the projectile launcher 10.

As indicated previously, the gas powered weapon system of the subjectinvention allows the system user to select the range, speed, and impactof the projectile. In the subject invention this is accomplished byproviding a small and a large pressurized gas bottle and also twodifferent types of cartridge cases, a first case adaptable to receiveeither a small or a large bottle, and a second case wherein two of thelarge bottles may be received. For purposes of clarity, the small andlarge bottle forms of the subject invention are hereinafter designatedlow energy" and medium energy, respectively, with the case utilizing twobottles being hereinafter designated high energy."

With reference first to a low energy cartridge assembly, and as bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembly includes a cartridge case or housing54. The case 54 is comprised of first and second cylindrical portions 56and 58 spaced on opposite ends of a cylindrical portion 60, the portion60 being of substantially less diameter than the portions 56 and 58. Thefirst cylindrical portion 56 includes an enlarged flange portion 62 anda slightly diametrically enlarged portion 64 relative to the diameter ofthe portion 56, the portion 56 and 62 being identical to the flange l6and enlarged portion 18 of the exemplary cartridge 12, shown in FIG. 2.The second cylindrical portion 58 is substantially axially elongatedrelative to the first cylindrical portion 56 and is of a suitablediameter to accommodate slidable insertion in the bore of the barrel 20.The cylindrical portion 60 includes a plurality of axially extendingguide ribs 66 circumferentially spaced about the outer periphery thereofto accommodate guiding of the cartridge assembly 54 into the receiverassembly 24 of the projectile launcher 10.

The cartridge case 54 includes a first axially extending cylindricalpassage 68 which extends substantially through the first cylindricalportion 56 and the cylindrical portion 60. The cylindrical passage 68opens into a second cylindrical passage 70, the second cylindricalpassage 70 being of substantially greater diameter than the cylindricalpassage 68 and defines a radially extending shoulder 72 therewith.Moreover, it will be seen that the right end of the cylindriccal passage68 includes a stepped bore 74 which defines a radially extendingshoulder 76. The stepped bore 74 and radially extending shoulder 76 areadapted to receive and locate a piercing element support member 78.

As best observed in FIG. 8, the member 78 is of substantially triangularshape having arcuately extending side walls 80 which define a pluralityof oval openings 82 with the circumferential surface of the step bore74. The apex between all adjacent side walls 80 is arcuately formed inconformance with the diameter of the step bore 74 to be receivedtherein. The support member 78 may be connected to the step bore 74 byany suitable means such as preferably by providing threads across eachof the arccuately shaped apexes 84 to connectably mate with cooperatingthreads in the step bore 74.

A piercing element 86 is centrally located and supported by the supportmember 78 and includes an annular shaped blade portion 88, having aninclined rearwardly extending face 90, and a radially enlarged threadedportion 92 which is connected to a threaded aperture 94 disposed in thesupport member 78.

A relatively flat, disc-shaped gas check member 96, which functions as apiston in expelling a projectile 100, is slidably located in the secondcylindrical passage 70 and includes an annular shaped flange portion 98which abuts the radially extending shoulder 72. The projectile 100 isslidably located between the gas check 96 and a second gas check member102, the second gas check member 102 being identical to the gas check 96and preferably being circumferentially sealed in the passage 70 by anysuitable sealant. The projectile 100 is preferably comprised of arelatively flat, disc-shaped cloth container or bag having a pluralityof shot particles located therein and easily deformable for slidableinsertion into the passage 70. The projectile 100 can be ofa typedisclosed in the co-pending patent application of Robert C. Mawhinney,Ser. No. 39,294, filed May 21, 1970, entitled High Energy, MinimumLethality Weapon System," which was assigend to the assignee of thesubject invention, and is incorporated in this disclosure by reference.

A small gas bottle or container 104 having a generally cylindricallyshaped mouth portion 106 is slidably located in the cylindrical passage68 and includes a circular wall portion 107 which is disposed proximatethe piercing element 86. The bottle 104 may be of the type used in homesoda water dispensers wherein a suitable pressurized gaseous media maybe stored. Various gases may be utilized in the gas bottle 104 such as,for example, carbon dioxide, air, and nitrogen. With respect to theoperating pressures of the gases stored within the bottle, carbondioxide has been utilized to pressures up to 800 p.s.i.g. and nitrogento pressures of S000 p.s.i.g. As best seen in FIG. 4, the bottle 104 isof an axial length substantially less than the axial length of thecylindrical passage 68. To suitable locate the wall portion 107 of thegas container proximate the piering element 86, a cylindrically shapedadapter member 108 is slidably inserted in the left end of the passage68 so that its outer face is substantially flush with the outer rearwardface of the flange 62. The adapter 108 may be secured to the case 54 byany suitable means such as an adhesive tape or an easily torndisc-shaped paper sticker 110. As indicated previously, the cartridgeassembly illustrated in FIG. 4 is a low energy" assembly relative to theother forms of the invention to be hereinafter described. It will benoted that the gas bottle 104 is of minimal axial dimension and providesan effective range to the projectile of approximately 25 feet. The rangeof the projectile 100 is predicated on a projectile velocity ofapproximately 100 miles per hour to insure a knock-down impacting forcein repeling an aggravation.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a medium energy cartridge assembly isillustrated utilizing an idential cartridge case 54'. For purposes ofclarity, identical components and portions to that described inconjunction with FIG. 4 are designated by the same numeral having aprime(') suffix. The only difference between the medium energy cartridgeassembly and the low energy" cartridge assembly resides in theutilization of a larger gas bottle 112 relative to the bottle 104, thebottle 112 storing an increased volume of pressurized gas. The gasbottle 112 is sufficiently elongated relative to the gas bottle 104 toextend from the rearward outer face of the flange 62' to the tip of thepiercing element 86' thus obviating the need for the cylindrical adapter108. Again, the gas bottle 112 is securely confined within thecylindrical passage 68' by a paper sticker 110'. It will be noted thatwhen the medium energy cartridge assembly is utilized with theprojectile launcher 10, that the release of the piston member 40 willreact directly upon the rearward surface of the gas bottle 112 asopposed to striking the adapter 108 in the low energy cartridgeassembly. It will further be noted that due to the increased volumetriccapacity of the gas bottle 112 that the range, speed, and impact of theprojectile 100 will be substantially increased.

With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a high energy" cartridge assemblyis illustrated having a cartridge case 114 which is slightly elongatedrelative to the cartridge case 54 or 54', to accommodate the axiallength of a large size gas bottle 112" as well as a suitable adapter forsimultaneously displacing a pair of bottles as shall hereinafter becomeapparent. For purposes of clarity, identical components and portions areindicated by the same numeral utilized for the low and medium energyforms of the cartridge case illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively,and including a double prime suffix. The right end portion of thecartridge case 114 is identical to the second cylindrical portion 58 ofthe cartridge case 54 and includes a cylindrical passage 70" having apair of gas check members 96" and 102", respectively, located onopposite sides of a projectile member 100". In the high energy form ofthe cartridge assembly, a pair of parallel, transversely spaced,cylindrical passages 116 and 118 extend from the left end of the case114 and open at an opposite inward end thereof into the cylindricalpassage 70". A pair of piercing element support members 78" are respectively located at the right inward end of each of the passages 116and 118 and respectively support a pair of piercing elements 86". A pairof gas bottles 112" are respectively located in each of the passages 116and 118 with the mouth portions 106' being located proximate thepiercing element 86". The left end ofthe cartridge case 114, as viewedin FIG. 6, includes a partial, centrally located blind bore 120 whichdefines diametrically opposite arcuate surfaces 122 and 124,respectively. As best observed in FIG. 7, the surfaces 122 and 124 areadapted to slidably receive a cylindrically shaped, adapter member 126which includes an outer face 128 which, when fully inserted in the bore120, is adapted to be substantially flush with the left transverse endof the case 114. The diameter of the adapter 126, and correspondinglythe blind bore 120, is selected so that the circumferential edge thereofcentrally contacts the rearward end of each of the gas bottles 112" sothat inward displacement of the adapter 126 will simultaneously displacethe gas bottle 112 and be punctured at essentially the same moment. Thehigh energy" cartridge assembly 114 is operable in an identical mannerwith the low energy and medium energy cartridge assemblies, inwarddisplacement of the adapter 126 being adapted to drive the gas bottles112 against the piercing elements 86" to release the pressurized gas.

In all three forms of the cartridge assemblies hereinbefore described,it will be appreciated that when the pressurized container or containersis punctured thereby releasing the pressurized gas, a substantial amountof pressurized gas energy can be lost due to leakage toward the rear ofthe case, between the passages supporting the gas container and thecontainer itself. To efficiently utilize all of the pressurized gasenergy as a propellant for launching the projectile 100, various sealingmeans are provided and illustrated re spectively in FIGS. 912. Forpurposes of description, the sealing means shall be described inconjunction with the low energy cartridge assembly illustrated in FIG.4, although it will be appreciated that the gas hot tle 112 and 112" ofthe other embodiments are comparably sealed by one of the followingforms.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a flexible rolling diaphragm type of sealmember 130 is located at the right inward end of cylindrical passage 68proximate the piercing element support member 78. The member 130 iscomprised of an axially extending skirt portion 132 having an enlargedannular bead 134 at one end se curely located in a suitable annulargroove 136 disposed in the passage 68. The opposite end of the skirtportion 132 is rolled, or folded over, to define an axially extendingaperture 138 for snugly receiving the mouth 106 of the gas bottle 104.The seal member 130 may be fabricated from any suitable flexiblematerial such as rubber or synthetic rubber to provide a diaphragm-likecharacteristic to the folded over portion. When the gas bottle 104 isdisplaced to the right due to the impact with the piston of theprojectile launcher 10, the rolled, or folded over portion functions asa diaphragm and is displaceable to the right in response to movement tothe bottle 104. When the bottle 104 is punctured by the piercing element86 the released pressure will act of the inner side of the folded overportion to urge the aperture to the left against the increasingperipheral diameter of the bottle proximate the mouth 106 and drivinnlvassociate the axial portions against the mouth portion 106 and thecircumferential surface of the passage 66. respectively. Thus, it willbe seen that the member is self-sealing during such time as when thebottle 104 is punctured to retain the released pressurized gas betweenthe seal 130 and gas check and efficiently utilize the pressurized mediafor the launch of the projectile 100.

In FIG. 10, a second form of the seal member is indicated as an O-ring140. The O-ring 140 is nestingly located between the outer peripheralportion of the mouth 106 of the gas bottle 104 and the outer circumferential surface of the passage 68. Prior to puncturing the bottle 104,the pressure on opposite sides of the O- ring 140 will be equal and theseal will be frictionally held proximate the outer peripheral bottlesurface. When the bottle 104 is urged to the right for puncturing inresponse to release of the piston 40, the pressure in the passage 68 onthe right side of the O-ring 140 will be increased and react against theright side of the O- ring urging it to a leftward sealing position.Thus, it will again be seen that the O-ring 140 is characterized byself-sealing under the influence of the pressurized gas.

In FIG. 11, another form of the sealing member is indicated at 142having a skirt portion 144 extending forwardly from a disc-shaped baseportion 146 which functions as a flexible flat diaphragm. The baseportion 146 has a centrally located aperture 148 of a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of the mouth 106 of the bottle 104to define a slight interference fit therewith. The member 142 isfabricated from a rubber compound or equivalent synthetic material whichpermits the base portion 146 to circumferentially flex or bend inresponse to movement of the bottle 104. Thus, when the bottle isdisplaced to the right for puncturing, the base portion 146 will becircumferentially flexed to the right and upon puncturing of the bottle104, the pressure energy will act on the inner annular surface of thebase portion 146 to maintain the sealing contact therebetween. It willbe noted that due to the increase in diameter of the bottle 104 on theleft side of the mouth portion 106, that the pressure energy releasefrom the bottle 104 will tend to more fully seat the ap erture 148 onthe outer peripheral surface of the bottle whereby a tighter seal isaccomplished by increased pressure acting on the right side thereof.

In FIG. 12 another form of a sealing member is indicated at 150,comprised of a wedged-shaped annulus slidably located in the passage 68and having an inclined surface 152 tangentially seating on theperipheral surface to the left end of the mouth 106. The memher is urgedto the left by a coil spring 154 located between the support member 78and the right face of the annulus 150. The spring tends to retain themember 150 in sealing contact with the bottle 104 during displacement ofthe bottle to the right in response to movement of the piston 40, andacts to supplement the released pressure energy of the bottle 104 inwedging the member 150 to form a pressure tight seal. Thus, it will beappreciated that all four of the sealing embodiments are self-sealingdue to a force provided by the pressurized media which insures that thereleasable pressurized gas may be fully utilized for the launchingoperation. regardless of the form of the seal selected.

To operate the projectile launcher l with any of one of the low energy,"medium energy." or high energy" cartridge assemblies. the operation knob48 for the piston 40 is initially positioned in the loading slot 47which locates the right end of the piston 40 inwardly of the right faceof the breech 36 as viewed in FIG. 2. The release pin 34 is thendepressed and the handle 22 is pivotally rotated to provide access tothe receiver 24. The selected cartridge assembly 54, 54', or [14 is thenslidably inserted into the receiver 24 and the handle is pivotablycounter-rotated and locked to assume the position illustrated in FIG. I.The operating knob 48 is then repositioned to the cocking slot 46against the bias of the spring 42, and the system is ready for firing.The launcher barrel is directed towards a selected target with firingbeing accomplished by finger or thumb movement of the operating knob 48cirumferentially from the cocking slot 46 to the axial groove 44 whereinthe spring 42 will drive the piston to the right. Upon impact with thegas bottle 104 or 112, the bottle will be driven against the piercingelement 86 and puncturing of the bottle 104 will be accomplished.Puncturing of the bottle [04 will release the pressurized gas mediawhich in turn will drive the bottle to the left, wherein it will beself-sealed by any one of the forms of the sealing members previouslydescribed. Concurrently the pressurized energy will act on the left faceof the gas check 96 driving the projectile 100 interposed between thegas checks 96 and 102 to the right. The rifling grooves 26 of the barrelwill impart a gyroscopic movement to the projectile 100 so that when theprojectile 100 is discharged from the barrel 20 it is subject to expandunder the action of centrifugal force. the gyroscopic motion displacingthe shot particles radially outwardly against the outer circumferentialsurface of the deformable container. In this expanded position, theprojectile 100 will deliver a knock-down blow against the selectedtarget.

Because of the absence of gun powder, or detonation of variouschemicals, the system of the subject invention is not subjected to hightemperatures and therefore the majority of the components may beextruded, machined, or otherwise fabricated from plastics, andpreferably from a thermoplastic polycarbonate resin material such as,for example, LEXAN, a product of General Electric. This provides aneconomical as well as a sturdy lightweight system which may beconveniently carried and operated. It also will be noted that during thefiring sequence the operating knob 48 will be recoiled slightly to theleft due to pressure energy acting on the right end of the gas bottle.In this regard it will be noted that the enlarged ring 52 is adapted tosuitably locate the thumb and fingers of the hand of the operator in asuitable location to prevent jamming. It also will be noted that withthe exception of the gas bottles, all parts utilized in the system arereuseable which further increases the economy of the system.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of theinvention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects abovestated. it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system, a tubularcase defining first and second axially extending cylindrical passages; aprojectile slidably located in one of said passages; a dischargeablepressurized gas bottle slidably located in the other of said pas sageswith the dischargeable end facing said projectile, first meansresponsive to axial movement of said bottle for releasing thepressurized gas; a flexible annular seal comprising a first and a secondside and having a first axially extending portion snugly located in saidother passage wherein said first side in said first portion en gages thewall of said passage and further having a sec ond portion reverselyrolled inwardly of said first portion and snugly connected to one end ofsaid bottle. wherein in said reversely rolled second portion, said firstside engages said bottle and said second side is exposed in a directionwhereby upon release of said pressurized gas, said first side is pressedagainst said bottle in said second portion and against said walls ofsaid passage in said first portion so as to effect more complete sealingof said other passage.

2. A cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system comprising:

a cartridge case having a first cylindrically shaped passage at one end,a second passage extending between said first passage and an oppositeend thereof, and a radially extending shoulder located at an inward endof said first passage;

a first disc shaped gas check member slidably located in said firstpassage and seated relative to said shoulder;

a second disc shaped gas check member located in said first passage atan outer end thereof;

a deformable projectile located in said first passage between said firstand second gas check members;

a trasversely extending partition wall located at an inward end of saidsecond passage. said wall including passage menas for fluidlycommunicating said first and second passages;

a pressurized gas bottle slidably located in said second passage;

means carried by said partition wall for puncturing said bottle andreleasing said pressurized gas in response to displacement of saidbottle in a first direction; and

pressure responsive sealing means located in said second passge forself-sealing said second passage relative to said bottle. said lastmentioned means being urged in an opposite direction relative to saidfirst direction to a self-sealing position in response to release ofsaid pressurized gas.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said bottle includes aradially extending wall surface and wherein said sealing means is urgedinto sealing relationship with said wall surface in response to releaseof said pressurized gas.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said bottle includes acylindrically shaped neck section which extends outwardly from said wallsurface and wherein said sealing means comprises an axially extendingsection located in said second passage. and a reversely folded sectionconnected to said neck section.

5. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said second passage includesa circumferentially extending recess and wherein said sealing meanscomprises an axi ally extending portion having an enlarged lipcooperatively seated in said recess.

6. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said enlarged lip is locatedat one end of said axially extending portion and wherein an opposite endis reversely folded and located about a neck portion of said bottle.

1. In a cartridge assembly for a gas powered weapon system, a tubularcase defining first and second axially extending cylindrical passages; aprojectile slidably located in one of said passages; a dischargeablepressurized gas bottle slidably located in the other of said passageswith the dischargeable end facing said projectile, first meansresponsive to axial movement of said bottle for releasing thepressurized gas; a flexible annular seal comprising a first and a secondside and having a first axially extending portion snugly located in saidother passage wherein said first side in said first portion engages thewall of said passage and further having a second portion reverselyrolled inwardly of said first portion and snugly connected to one end ofsaid bottle, wherein in said reversely rolled second portion, said firstside engages said bottle and said second side is exposed in a directionwhereby upon release of said pressurized gas, said first side is pressedagainst said bottle in said second portion and against said walls ofsaid passage in said first portion so as to effect more complete sealingof said other passage.
 2. A cartridge assembly for a gas powered weaponsystem comprising: a cartridge case having a first cylindrically shapedpassage at one end, a second passage extending between said firstpassage and an opposite end thereof, and a radially extending shoulderlocated at an inward end of said first passage; a first disc shaped gascheck member slidably located in said first passage and seated relativeto said shoulder; a second disc shaped gas check member located in saidfirst passage at an outer end thereof; a deformable projectile locatedin said first passage between said first and second gas check members; atrasversely extending partition wall located at an inward end of saidsecond passage, said wall including passage menas for fluidlycommunicating said first and second passages; a pressurized gas bottleslidably located in said second passage; means carried by said partitionwall for puncturing said bottle and releasing said pressurized gas inresponse to displacement of said bottle in a first direction; andpressure responsive sealing means located in said second passge forself-sealing said second passage relative to said bottle, said lastmentioned means being urged in an opposite direction relative to saidfirst direction to a self-sealing position in response to release ofsaid pressurized gas.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein saidbottle includes a radially extending wall surface and wherein saidsealing means is urged into sealing relationship with said wall surfacein response to release of said pressurized gas.
 4. The system as recitedin claim 3 wherein said bottle includes a cylindrically shaped necksection which extends outwardly from saiD wall surface and wherein saidsealing means comprises an axially extending section located in saidsecond passage, and a reversely folded section connected to said necksection.
 5. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said second passageincludes a circumferentially extending recess and wherein said sealingmeans comprises an axially extending portion having an enlarged lipcooperatively seated in said recess.
 6. The system as recited in claim 5wherein said enlarged lip is located at one end of said axiallyextending portion and wherein an opposite end is reversely folded andlocated about a neck portion of said bottle.